Gatwick to Heathrow Transfer: Every Way to Get Between London's Airports

I lived in London for six years, and transferring between London's six airports was never much of an issue as I was usually arriving or leaving. Then I spread my wings and London became handy as a transfer between flights, usually from a long haul to a budget flight to Spain or Portugal! Those were the days. The problem is, lots of long haul flights get into Heathrow and lots of budget flights leave from Gatwick. Cue having to learn about transfers.

I've done it by train and by National Express, both in the last year, so here's the research I did for those trips, as a handy all-in-one guide.

How Far Apart Are Gatwick and Heathrow?

Straight-line distance is about 45 kilometres (28 miles). By road, it's closer to 60 kilometres (37 miles) depending on your route. Without traffic, you're looking at 45-50 minutes. With London traffic, that can stretch to 90 minutes or more.

Patrick's Tip: if you're intending to take a taxi or transfer, don't trust the time estimate on Google Maps. London's motorways (M25 especially) are notorious for jamming up without warning. If you absolutely must be at Heathrow by a specific time, budget 90 minutes minimum by road from Gatwick, even if the taxi's satnav says 50.

Option 1: National Express Coach (The Budget Choice)

• Price: Around £35 one-way, £50 return
• Journey time: 60-75 minutes scheduled, plus traffic
• Frequency: Every 20-30 minutes daytime, less frequent overnight

The National Express coach runs direct between Gatwick and Heathrow. No changes, no dragging luggage through train stations. You board at Gatwick North or South Terminal, sit down for about an hour, and get off at Heathrow Central Bus Station (for Terminals 2 and 3) or Terminal 5.

The reality: I've paid £18.50 when booking weeks ahead, and £42 when buying at the last minute. Prices fluctuate wildly based on demand and how far ahead you book. This is not a fixed-fare service like the Tube. Book directly with National Express.

Why choose it: You're on a tight budget, you're not in a rush, or you've got heavy luggage you'd rather not haul up and down stairs at train stations. The coaches have bathrooms and power outlets at every seat.

Why skip it: Skip it if you're in a panic to get there, and it's a peak time for traffic. The M25 around Heathrow is a car park during rush hour. If you're transferring during morning or evening peak times, this could take 90 minutes or longer.

Option 2: Private Transfer (The Lower Stress Option)

• Price: Around £70-90 for a car, £120-150 for a larger vehicle
• Journey time: 45-90 minutes depending on traffic
• Book: In advance for best rates

A private car picks you up at arrivals and drops you at your terminal. No waiting, no walking, no figuring out where the bus stops. If you're travelling with family or have more than one large bag, this starts to make financial sense compared to buying multiple coach or train tickets.

Patrick's Pick: I've used GetTransfer for this route once for a 6am transfer and I didn't want to risk the coach. The driver tracked my flight, met me at arrivals with a sign, and knew the back roads when the M25 was crawling.

Why choose it: You're tight on time, you're travelling with kids or lots of luggage, or you just want certainty. You're paying to eliminate variables.

Why skip it: It's the most expensive option for solo travellers, and traffic can still bite you.

Option 3: Train via Central London (The Middle Ground)

Gatwick Airport train station

• Price: Around £15-25 depending on route
• Journey time: 70-90 minutes including all connections
• Complexity: Medium

This is the route that sounds simple on paper but trips people up in practice. Here's how it works:

From Gatwick to Heathrow via Victoria:

1. Take the Gatwick Express or Southern train to London Victoria (30-35 minutes)
2. Walk to the Victoria Underground station (5 minutes)
3. Take the Circle or District line to Paddington (15 minutes)
4. Walk to the mainline Paddington station (5 minutes)
5. Take the Heathrow Express or Elizabeth line to Heathrow (15-45 minutes depending on service)

From Gatwick to Heathrow via Farringdon:

1. Take the Thameslink train from Gatwick to Farringdon (45-50 minutes)
2. Cross to the Elizabeth line platforms (5 minutes)
3. Take the Elizabeth line to Heathrow (35-45 minutes)

The second option is simpler, with one less change. But Thameslink runs every 20 minutes, and missing your connection at Farringdon means a 20-minute wait. Of all of these routes, I've found Thameslink slightly unreliable (I used to live in Brighton and it's the same route).

Patrick's Tip: If you're doing this route with luggage, avoid Victoria during rush hour. The Circle line platforms are narrow, and the escalators at Paddington are always mobbed. Farringdon is less chaotic, and the Elizabeth line has lifts at every station.

Option 4: Thameslink + Elizabeth Line (The Misunderstood Option)

• Price: about £25-35 total, depending on tickets and time of day
• Journey time: about 70-80 minutes, platform to platform

I just want to go over this one more time, because it's the alleged route that most people get wrong. People think of this as "the Elizabeth line between airports", but it isn't and that's not quite how it works. There is no Elizabeth line service to or from Gatwick at all. To use the Elizabeth line, you first take a Thameslink train from Gatwick Airport to central London (for example, Farringdon), then change onto the Elizabeth line towards Heathrow.

So you cannot stay on the same train from Gatwick to Heathrow, and you are not "on the Elizabeth line" until you've changed in central London. The first leg is Thameslink only; the Elizabeth line part is purely the central‑London‑to‑Heathrow section. In practice, this means one rail change at a big interchange station with lifts and escalators, plus whatever you do at each airport.

End‑to‑end, Gatwick → Farringdon (Thameslink) → Heathrow (Elizabeth line) usually takes around 70-80 minutes if the connection is smooth. That's often similar to, and sometimes a bit quicker than, the coach, but not a dramatic time‑saver. It's mainly worth considering if you prefer trains, want to avoid motorway traffic, or you're heading via central London anyway, rather than because there's some magical "direct Elizabeth line" link between the two airports.

Option 5: Taxi from the Rank (The Desperation Play)

• Price: £150-200+ (fixed rate if pre-booked, meter-plus-surcharges if hailing)
• Journey time: 45-90 minutes

You can walk up to the taxi rank at Gatwick and ask for Heathrow. A black cab will take you. The driver will quote you a fixed fare (around £150-180) or run the meter, which with the Heathrow surcharge and waiting time could hit £200+.

I have to say I would never ever do this. My boss's boss at MetLife (a job long long ago) thought this was a great idea, but she was on an expense account.

Unless you're desperate, pre-book a private transfer instead. You'll get a guaranteed price and a driver waiting for you.

Comparison: Which Should You Choose?

Factor	National Express	Private Transfer	Train via Central
Price (solo)	£25-45	£70-90	£15-25
Price (family of 4)	£100-180	£70-90	£60-100
Journey time	60-90 min	45-90 min	70-90 min
Luggage hassle	Low	Minimal	High
Weather risk	Traffic delays	Traffic delays	None
Booking needed	Advisable	Essential	No

My recommendation:

• Solo traveller, not in a rush: National Express if booked ahead
• Solo traveller, tight on time: Train via Farringdon (Thameslink + Elizabeth line)
• Couple or family: Private transfer, especially if you've got bulky luggage
• Absolute shoestring: Train via Victoria with an Oyster card, but prepare for stairs

The Early Morning and Late Night Situation

You do need to be prepared for out of normal hours transport. National Express coaches run through the night but less frequently (every 60-90 minutes after midnight). The Elizabeth line stops running around midnight. Thameslink runs 24 hours but with gaps of at least 30-40 minutes overnight.

If your flight lands at Gatwick at 11 PM and your connection from Heathrow is at 7 AM the next day, you're in a tricky spot. Options are limited, and I'd strongly consider staying overnight at one of the Heathrow airport hotels.

Patrick's Tip: The Sofitel Hotel at Terminal 5 is directly connected to Terminal 5 and an easy transfer to other terminals. If you arrive at Gatwick after 10 PM and have a morning Heathrow departure, don't risk the overnight connection. Book the Sofitel, sleep properly, and saunter to your terminal in the morning.

FAQ

How long do I need for a Gatwick-to-Heathrow transfer?

Budget 3 hours minimum between flights if you're doing this as a self-transfer (separate tickets). That gives you time to collect luggage, make the journey, check in at Heathrow, and clear security. If it's one continuous booking, the airline thinks you can do it in 90 minutes, but that's optimistic.

Can I do this with a long layover?

If you've got 5+ hours, you could theoretically go into central London for a quick look around. But I wouldn't risk it. Traffic or train delays can turn a 5-hour layover into a missed flight fast. Stick to airport lounges or a hotel day room.

Is there a direct train?

No. Despite what you might read, there is no direct rail service between Gatwick and Heathrow. All train routes require at least one change.

What's the cheapest way to do this?

Pre-booked National Express coach if you're travelling alone. Train via Farringdon with an Oyster or contactless card if you want flexibility.

Do I need to book in advance?

National Express is significantly cheaper when booked ahead. Private transfers must be booked ahead. The train you can just tap in and go.

What if my flight is delayed?

Pre-booked coaches and private transfers usually monitor flight arrivals and adjust pickup times automatically, but check your booking confirmation. National Express tickets are valid for any coach within 12 hours of the booked time, so you've got flexibility.

Last updated: February 2026. Prices and schedules subject to change. Always verify current times with your transport provider before travelling.